Filtration assemblies and methods of installing filtration units in filtration assemblies

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to filtration assemblies and methods of installing filtration units in filtration assemblies. Filtration assemblies may include first and second end pieces, at least one filtration unit between the first and second end pieces, and at least one alignment rod arrangement. The alignment rod arrangement may extend between the end pieces and align the filtration units and the end pieces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to filtration assemblies and methods of installingfiltration units into filtration assemblies for any and all types ofseparation processes. More particularly, it relates to filtrationassemblies including removably attachable alignment rod arrangements.

Filtration assemblies embodying the invention may be arranged fortangential flow filtration or for direct flow or dead-end flowfiltration. For direct flow or dead-end flow filtration, process or feedfluid is directed to a permeable filtration medium. All of the feedfluid then passes through the filtration medium as filtrate or permeate,except any substances in the fluid that are retained by the filtrationmedium. For tangential flow filtration, feed fluid is directedtangentially along a permeable filtration medium. A portion of the feedfluid passes through the filtration medium as permeate, and theremaining portion of the feed fluid, the concentrate or retentate, isdirected away from the filtration medium.

Filtration assemblies embodying the invention may include at least onefiltration unit, and for many embodiments several filtration units,aligned and compressed between first and second end pieces. At least onealignment rod arrangement may extend between the end pieces and alignthe filtration units. An end piece may further comprise a fitting towhich an alignment rod arrangement may be removably attachable. Thefiltration assemblies may further comprise one or more manifolds thatmay be arranged with the filtration units to feed fluid to thefiltration units and/or to collect fluid from the filtration units.

The alignment rod arrangement may be removably attachable to thefiltration assembly, and the alignment rod arrangement may be removablyattached through releasably connectable fittings. Detachment of thealignment rod assembly may provide a space for removing one or morefiltration units from the assembly and installing one or more newfiltration units into the assembly. After installation, the alignmentrod arrangement may reattach to align the filtration units.

An alignment rod arrangement may include at least one rod and at leastone fitting. An alignment rod may move in any direction to provide spacefor removing or installing at least one filtration unit. The alignmentrod arrangement may also move in any direction to close the space forinstalling at least one filtration unit and to align the filtrationunits. For example, the alignment rod arrangement may be slidablymounted to an end piece. Alternatively, the alignment rod arrangementmay be arranged to move laterally away from, toward, or between thefiltration units and/or end pieces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides highly efficient filtration assembliesand methods of installing filtration units in filtration assemblies.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, filtration assembliesmay comprise first and second end pieces and at least one filtrationunit between the first and second end pieces. The assembly may furthercomprise at least one alignment rod arrangement extending between theend pieces and aligning the filtration unit or units. The alignment rodarrangement may include at least first and second components removablyattachable to one another between the end pieces.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, filtrationassemblies may comprise first and second end pieces, at least onefiltration unit between the first and second end pieces, and at leastone alignment rod arrangement positioned to align the filtration unit orunits between the end pieces. The alignment rod arrangement may includean alignment rod mounted between the end pieces to slide longitudinallyalong one end piece and away from the other end piece.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, filtrationassemblies may comprise first and second end pieces, at least onefiltration unit between the end pieces, and at least one alignment rodarrangement positioned to align the filtration unit or units between theend pieces. The alignment rod arrangement may include an alignment rodmounted to move laterally between the end pieces.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, methods ofinstalling a filtration unit into a filtration assembly may comprisedetaching components of an alignment rod arrangement between first andsecond end pieces, installing at least one filtration unit between theend pieces, and reattaching the components of the alignment rodarrangement between the end pieces. Reattaching the components of thealignment rod arrangement may include aligning the filtration unit orunits along the alignment rod arrangement.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, methods ofinstalling a filtration unit into a filtration assembly may comprisesliding an alignment rod longitudinally in one direction along one endpiece and away from an opposed end piece and installing at least onefiltration unit between the end pieces. The method may further includesliding the alignment rod longitudinally in the opposite direction alongthe one end piece and toward the opposed end piece. Sliding thealignment rod may include aligning the filtration unit or units alongthe alignment rod arrangement.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, methods ofinstalling a filtration unit into a filtration assembly may comprisemoving an alignment rod laterally away from first and second opposed endpieces, installing at least one filtration unit between the end pieces,and moving the alignment rod laterally between the end pieces. Movingthe alignment rod laterally may include aligning the filtration unit orunits along the alignment rod arrangement.

Filtration assemblies and methods of installing filtration units intofiltration assemblies according to the present invention have manyadvantages. For example, alignment rod arrangements embodying theinvention greatly facilitate displacement of the alignment rodarrangement and loading and unloading of the filtration units.Displacement of the alignment rod arrangement may provide a large enoughspace through which one or more filtration units may pass when loadingor unloading the assembly. Moreover, the space provided by thedisplacement of the alignment rod arrangement may permit the removal ofmultiple filtration units simultaneously. Additionally, displacement ofthe alignment rod arrangement may also permit the removal of afiltration unit from anywhere within a sequence of filtration unitswithout having to remove some or all of the other filtration units inthe sequence. Moreover, the displacement of the alignment rods may allowa number of filtration units to be installed or removed without havingto slide filtration units one at a time through a small area in theassembly. Accordingly, the alignment rod arrangements of the claimedfiltration assemblies may provide increased flexibility, speed, and easewith respect to filtration unit installation and removal, as well asfiltration assembly construction and disassembly.

A further advantage of the filtration assemblies and methods of theinvention is that the alignment rod arrangement may align any or all ofthe feed passages, permeate passages, and retentate passages of adjacentfiltration units to fluidly communicate with each other and/or with thefeed passages, permeate passages, and retentate passages, respectively,of one or more manifolds. Alignment of the feed, permeate, and retentatepassages in this manner may advantageously facilitate the flow of feed,permeate, and/or retentate from one filtration unit to an adjacentfiltration unit and from the filtration units to one or more manifolds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a filtration assembly.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a filtration manifold.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a keyed male design fitting and afitting including a corresponding female socket.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a spring-ball plunger fittingand a fitting including a corresponding groove.

FIG. 5 is a representative cross-sectional side view of a fittingincluding at least one O-ring and a corresponding fitting including aregion that may form a press-fit seal with the O-ring.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view of a slotted engagement.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional top view of the slotted engagement of FIG.6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Many different filtration assemblies may embody one or more aspects ofthe invention. Filtration assemblies according to the invention mayinclude first and second end pieces, at least one filtration unitbetween the first and second end pieces, and a manifold. The manifold,which may or may not function as one of the end pieces, includes fluidpassages that channel feed fluid, permeate and/or retentate to and/orfrom fluid passages in the filtration units. The filtration assembly mayfurther include one or more, e.g., between two and eight, alignment rodarrangements extending between the end pieces and aligning thefiltration units between the end pieces with the fluid passages in thefiltration units fluidly communicating among themselves and with thefluid passages in the manifold. The alignment rod arrangements may beconfigured in a wide variety of ways.

One example of a filtration assembly is shown in FIG. 1. A filtrationassembly 10 may include at least one filtration unit 13 between firstand second end pieces, e.g., first and second end plates 66 a, 66 b. Thefiltration assembly 10 may further include a manifold 11 for directingfeed fluid, permeate and/or retentate to and from the filtration units13. The manifold 11 may be located between the first and second endplates 66 a, 66 b and may serve as an intermediate end piece for thefiltration units 13 on each side of the manifold 11. At least onealignment rod arrangement 71 may extend between an end plate 66 a, 66 band the manifold 11, or through the manifold 11 between the first andsecond end plates, and may align the filtration units 13, the manifold11, and/or the end plates 66 a, 66 b.

The alignment rod arrangement may be configured in a number of differentways. The alignment rod arrangement may comprise any suitable material,including, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or a plastic,and may have any suitable configuration, such as, for example, agenerally cylindrical configuration. Different filtration assemblies mayhave different sizes depending, e.g., on the number of filtration units,and the size of the alignment rod arrangement may be varied accordingly.

The alignment rod arrangement may include at least two removablyattachable components that may be configured in any of a variety ofdifferent ways. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the alignment rodarrangement 71 may include first and second components 72 a, 72 bremovably attachable to one another between the end pieces. An alignmentrod arrangement component may be positioned anywhere on the assembly andmay include at least one rod, at least one fitting, or both a rod(s) anda fitting(s). Each of the components of the alignment rod arrangementmay have identical or different lengths. Further, for many embodiments,each of the components of the alignment rod arrangement may have thesame diameter when coupled together, e.g., coupled components may have aconsistent or uniform diameter along the length of the coupled alignmentrod arrangement. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first alignmentrod component 72 a may be slidably mounted on an end plate 66 b. Formany embodiments, the first component may pass partially or completelythrough the end plate, e.g., the second end plate 66 b. For otherembodiments, the first component may be mounted external to the endplate, e.g., to a collar fixed to the end plate. The second component 72b may be positioned e.g., removably or fixedly positioned, on themanifold 11, for example, in a socket 21 a of the manifold, as shown inFIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the first alignment rod component 72 amay include a rod 69 and a fitting 73 a at one end of the rod 69. Therod 69 may extend from the fitting 73 a to or through the second endplate 66 b. The second alignment rod component 72 b may include ashorter stub having a fitting 21 b on one end that mates with themanifold fitting 21 a and a fitting 73 b on the other end. The first andsecond alignment rod components 72 a, 72 b may mate at the fittings 73a, 73 b and may have the same diameter when coupled together.Alternatively, the second alignment rod component may be positioned onthe first end plate, and the rod may extend slidably through a throughhole in the manifold to the second end plate. In many embodiments, theslidably disposed alignment rod component, e.g., the first component 72a, may have a length that is longer than the length of the otheralignment rod component, e.g., the second component 72 b.

The corresponding fittings of the alignment rod arrangement may beconfigured in any of a variety of different ways. For example, a fittingmay be releasably connectable to another fitting, e.g., on anothercomponent of the alignment rod arrangement. A fitting may include anystructure, including a socket or a receptacle or a detent mechanism. Formany embodiments, the fittings are capable of both securely attaching toanother fitting, e.g., a corresponding fitting, and detaching from thatother fitting.

For example, a fitting may include a keyed male design or a femalesocket design. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a fitting 73 a of afirst component 72 a of the alignment rod arrangement may include akeyed male design 74, and a fitting 73 b of a second component 72 b mayinclude a corresponding female socket design 75. The keyed male design74 may be mounted to the rod 69 and may include a stud 47 and aprotuberance 45. The female socket design 75 may include a bore 48 whichreceives the stud 47 and is coaxially disposed in one end of the secondcomponent 72 b, a longitudinal groove 46 in the wall of the bore 48, anda groove (not shown) in the wall of the bore 48 which intersects andextends perpendicular to the longitudinal groove 46 circumferentiallyaway from the longitudinal groove 46. The keyed male design 74 maycorrespond with and engage the corresponding female socket design 75.For example, the rod 69 may be slid longitudinally and the stud 47 ofkeyed male design 74 may be inserted into the bore 48 of correspondingfemale socket design 75 with the protuberance 45 engaged in thelongitudinal groove 46 of the female socket design 75. Upon fullinsertion of the stud 47 of the keyed male design 74 into the bore 48 ofthe corresponding female socket design 75, the rod 69 including thealignment rod component 72 a and the keyed male design 74 may be rotatedabout the axis of the rod 69 to move the protuberance 45 out ofengagement with the longitudinal groove 46 and into engagement with thegroove perpendicular to the longitudinal groove 46. Upon being out ofengagement with the longitudinal groove 46, the first and secondcomponents 72 a, 72 b are locked so that first and second components maynot be longitudinally pulled apart and the rod 69 may not be axiallyslid without rotating the protuberance 45 back into engagement with thelongitudinal groove 46. Once engaged, the coupled components 72 a, 72 bmay form an alignment rod arrangement that has a uniform outer diameteralong the length of the alignment rod arrangement. To disengage the rod69, the rod 69 including the keyed male design 74 may be rotated in adirection that slides the protuberance 45 through the perpendiculargroove and into the longitudinal groove 46. When the protuberance 45reaches the longitudinal groove 46, the rod 69 may slide longitudinallyaway from the corresponding female socket design 75. The first andsecond components may then be longitudinally pulled away from each otherand apart.

In another example, a fitting may include a spring ball plunger or acorresponding groove to accept the plunger. As shown in FIG. 4, afitting 73 a of a first component 72 a, e.g., the rod 69 of thealignment rod arrangement may include a spring ball plunger 76 on a maledesign 74. The spring ball plunger 76 may be positioned on a stud 47.The spring ball plunger may include one or more ball plungers positionedon a spring (not shown) under tension, biasing each ball plungerradially outwardly from the stud 47. A fitting 73 b of a secondcomponent 72 b may include a female design 75 having a bore 48 and acorresponding circumferential groove 77 in the wall of the bore 48 toaccept the ball plunger(s). The groove 77 may extend radially into thewall of the bore 48. The bore 48 may include a flared external edge 49that is capable of engaging and depressing each ball plunger into thestud 47. The fitting 73 a including the spring ball plunger 76 maycorrespond with and engage the corresponding fitting 73 b including thegroove 77 to accept the spring ball plunger. For example, rod 69 may beslid longitudinally toward the second component 72 b and the stud 47 ofthe fitting of the first component 72 a may be inserted into the bore 48of corresponding fitting of the second component 72 b. Upon insertion ofthe stud 47 into the bore 48, the spring ball plunger 76 may engage theflared edge 49 of the bore 48, depressing the spring ball plungers. Uponfurther insertion of the stud 47 into the bore 48, each spring ballplunger 76 may be radially depressed into the stud 47 by the inside wallof bore 48. Upon full insertion of the stud 47 into the bore 48, thespring ball plunger may reach the corresponding groove 77, the springtension forcing each plunger to rise up into, and remain in, the groove77. Upon engagement of the spring ball plunger 76 with the groove 77,the first and second components may be securely fastened. Again, thecoupled components 72 a, 72 b may form an alignment rod arrangement thathas a uniform outer diameter along the length of the alignment rodarrangement. To disconnect the fittings, the rod 69 may be pulledlongitudinally away from the second connector 72 b. The edges of thegroove 77 may depress the spring ball plungers into the stud 47 and thefitting with the depressed spring ball plungers 76 may be pulledlongitudinally out of the bore 48, so that the stud 47 may be pulledlongitudinally away from the bore 48 and the first and second componentsmay detach.

In still another example, a fitting may include a resilient O-ring thatforms a press fit when the O-ring is engaged with a bore. For example,as shown in FIG. 5, a fitting 73 a of the first component 72 a, e.g.,the rod 69, may include at least one O-ring 78, e.g., two O-rings,positioned in grooves in a stud 47 of a male design 74. The fitting 73 bof a second component 72 b may include a female design 75 having a bore48 which receives the stud 47 and includes a region 79 in the wall ofthe bore 48 that may form a press fit when the O-ring 78 is engaged inthe bore 48. The bore 48 may include a flared external edge 49 that iscapable of engaging and compressing the O-ring. The fitting 73 aincluding the O-ring 78 may correspond with and engage the correspondingfitting 73 b including the bore 48. For example, the rod 69 may belongitudinally slid toward the second component 72 b and the stud 47 ofthe fitting of the first component 72 a may be inserted into the bore 48of the corresponding fitting of the second component 72 b. Uponinsertion of the stud 47 into the bore 48, each O-ring 78 may engage theflared edge 49, compressing the O-ring. Upon full insertion of the stud47 into the bore 48, each O-ring may be resiliently compressed betweenthe stud 47 and the region 79 of the bore 48 and may form a tight,frictional fit within the bore 48. Again, the coupled components 72 a,72 b may form an alignment rod arrangement that has a uniform outerdiameter along the length of the alignment rod arrangement. Todisconnect the fittings, the rod 69 may be longitudinally slid away fromthe second connector 72 b and the fitting with the O-rings 78 may bepulled longitudinally away from the bore 48, disengaging the press fit,so that the stud 47 may be pulled longitudinally away from and out ofthe bore 48 and the first and second components 72 a, 72 b may detach.

The releasably connectable fittings may be configured in numerous otherways. For example, the fitting having the bore may be part of the firstcomponent while the fitting having the stud may be part of the secondcomponent. Further, the above fittings are merely exemplary and do notexclude the possibility of a removable attachment attainable from othertypes of fittings. A fitting may include any structure that is capableof both securely attaching to another fitting, e.g., a correspondingfitting, and detaching from that other fitting. Other fittings mayinclude, but are not limited to, threaded studs and correspondinglythreaded nuts. Further, although the fittings of the alignment rodarrangements previously described are positioned on the first and secondcomponents of each alignment rod arrangement, one or more of thefittings may be positioned elsewhere in the filtration assembly. Forexample, one of the fittings, e.g., the fitting having the bore, may beassociated with the manifold or an end piece in any of a variety ofdifferent ways. For example, the fitting may be bonded or welded orthreaded to the manifold or an end piece. As yet another example, one ofthe fittings, e.g., the fitting having the bore, may be integrallyformed within the manifold or end piece, for example, by machining thefitting in one side of the manifold or end piece. In many of theseembodiments, the detachably connectable alignment rod arrangement may beno more than a single component which includes, for example, a rod andthe corresponding fitting, e.g., the fitting having the stud, on one endof the rod. For example, one or more fittings having the bore may beformed in one side of the manifold, and one or more rods which includefittings having the stud may be slidably disposed in an end piece. Eachfitting on the rod may be similarly coupled and uncoupled from thecorresponding fitting on the manifold as previously described withrespect to the fittings on the first and second components of thealignment rod arrangement.

The end pieces may be configured in any of a variety of different ways.For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the end pieces may be configured as endplates 66 a, 66 b. Each end plate 66 a, 66 b may include no fluidpassages and may plug any flow passages in the adjacent filtration unitthat open onto the end plate. Alternatively, the end plates may includeadditional fluid passages that fluidly communicate with the flowpassages in the adjacent filtration unit. A filtration manifold may alsofunction as an end piece on one or both ends of the filtration assemblyor intermediate the two end plates 66 a, 66 b, as shown in FIG. 1, forexample. Some embodiments may have two end plates which serve as endpieces and no manifolds, other embodiments may have two manifolds whichserve as end pieces and no end plates, and still other embodiments mayhave a combination of one or more end plates and one or more manifoldswhich serve as end pieces. One or both of the end pieces may furthercomprise one or more holes, fittings, or sockets in which, for example,an alignment rod arrangement may be disposed. The hole or socket mayfurther comprise a bushing in which the alignment rod arrangement may beslidably disposed. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, end plate 66 b mayinclude a bushing 67 through which the rod 69 may be slidably disposed,e.g., allowing the rod 69 to slide in both directions relative to theend plate 66 b as represented by the arrow A.

A filtration unit may have any size and shape and may be configured in avariety of different ways. For example, a filtration unit may include afiltration medium cooperatively arranged with a casing. The filtrationunit may be part of a plate and frame device in which separatefiltration medium sheets and frames are compressed and sealed betweenone another. Alternatively, the filtration unit may comprise afiltration cassette in which a filtration medium is integrally fittedwith and sealed to a casing.

As shown in FIG. 1, each filtration unit 13 may include a filtrationmedium 60 arranged with a casing 61 to define a feed side 62 a and apermeate side 62 b of the filtration medium 60. A filtration unit 13 mayalso include at least one feed passage 63 fluidly communicating with thefeed side 62 a of the filtration medium 60 and at least one permeatepassage 65 fluidly communicating with the permeate side 62 b of themedium. In tangential flow filtration assemblies, a filtration unit 13may additionally include at least one retentate passage 64 fluidlycommunicating with the feed side 62 a of the filtration medium.Filtration assemblies arranged for direct flow or dead-end flowfiltration may not have any retentate passages.

The filter medium may be permeable and may have any suitable treatmentcharacteristic. For example, the filtration medium may have, or may bemodified to have, any of several characteristics. The filtration mediummay have a positive, negative, or neutral electrical charge; it may beliquiphobic or liquiphilic, including, for example, hydrophobic orhydrophilic, or oleophobic or oleophilic; it may include attachedfunctional groups, such as ligands, that can chemically bind tosubstances in the fluid. The filtration medium may be formed from,impregnated with, or otherwise contain a variety of materials, such assorbents, ion exchange resins, enzymes, or catalysts, that maychemically or physically bind, react with, or otherwise alter substancesin the fluid. Further, the filtration medium may have any of a widerange of molecular cutoffs or removal ratings, including, for example,from ultraporous or nanoporous or finer to microporous or coarser. Thefiltration medium may thus function as a treatment medium of any type,including a capture medium, a separation medium, or a filter medium.

The casing of the filtration unit may include any suitable housing forthe filtration medium, e.g., a frame. The filtration unit may furthercomprise an exterior which may include, e.g., the exterior of thecasing, and along which an alignment rod arrangement may extend. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the filtration unit 13 may comprise anexterior 14 along which an alignment rod arrangement 71 may extend. Theexterior 14 of the filtration unit may be configured so that thealignment rod arrangement fits in close proximity, e.g., contacts, alongthe exterior 14 of the filtration unit. In some embodiments, afiltration assembly may further include one or more fixed alignment rodswhich extend between the end plates or between an end plate and amanifold along with one or more removably attachable alignment rodarrangements. A fixed alignment rod may be one that is not removablewithout disassembling the filtration assembly, and a filtration assemblymay include any number of fixed alignment rods and any number ofalignment rod arrangements in combination. Some embodiments of thefiltration assembly may include one or more alignment rod arrangementsand no fixed alignment rods.

A filtration unit may include first and second edges along which one ormore fixed alignment rods and/or one or more alignment rod arrangementsmay align the filtration units. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, analignment rod arrangement 71 may align the filtration units along afirst edge 17 a of the filtration units 13 and a fixed alignment rod 50may align the filtration units 13 along a second edge 17 b. The exteriorof each casing may include a cutout in which the fixed alignment rodsand/or the alignment rod arrangements may be positioned. In otherembodiments, each casing may include one or more through holes, and oneor more removably attachable alignment rod arrangements may bepositioned along the interior of each filtration unit within the throughholes of the casings to align the filtration units. For example, thealignment rod arrangements may be long enough to extend not only throughall of the through holes of the aligned filtration units in thefiltration assembly but also through and somewhat beyond an end piece.The alignment rod arrangements may then be detached and reattached aspreviously explained by manipulating the portion of the alignment rodarrangement which extends beyond the end piece and sliding the rod ofthe alignment rod arrangement longitudinally through the through holesof one or more filtration units.

The filtration assembly may be arranged in any of a variety of differentways. For example, at least one filtration unit may be positionedbetween the first and second end pieces. For example, at least onefiltration unit may be positioned between an end piece and one or bothsides of a manifold. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, for example, atleast a plurality of filtration units 13 may be positioned between thefirst end plate 66 a and the first side 16 a of manifold 11 and aplurality of filtration units 13 may be positioned between the secondend plate 66 b and the second side 16 b of manifold 11, the manifold 11serving as an intermediate end piece. In some embodiments, all of thefiltration units may be positioned between one end piece on one end ofthe filtration assembly and one side of the manifold on the other end ofthe filtration assembly.

The filtration assembly may include a sequence of any number offiltration units positioned between two end pieces or between a manifoldand an end plate. The sequence may include a series of adjacentfiltration units. For example, the filtration assembly 10 shown in FIG.1 includes four adjacent filtration units 13 between end plate 66 a andmanifold 11 and four adjacent filtration units 13 between end plate 66 band manifold 11.

The filtration assembly may further include a manifold that may beconfigured in any of a variety of different ways. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, a filtration manifold 11 may comprise a body 15 havingfirst and second opposite sides 16 a, 16 b. The body of the manifold maycomprise any suitable material, including, for example, a metal such asstainless steel, or a plastic, and may have any suitable configuration,such as, for example, a generally hexagonal configuration as shown inFIG. 2. Different separation processes may require different typesand/or sizes of filtration units, and the shape and size of the manifoldmay be varied accordingly.

The body of the manifold may include any or all of permeate collectionpassages, feed passages, and retentate passages. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, a tangential flow filtration manifold may include oneor more feed inlets 20 and feed passages 21, one or more retentatepassages 22 and retentate outlets 23, one or more permeate passages 24and permeate outlets 25, and/or one or more sampling ports 26.Alternatively, a dead-end flow or direct flow filtration manifold mayinclude feed passages and permeate passages but may lack retentatepassages. In some embodiments, the body of the manifold may includefirst and second permeate collection passages that may be configured inany of a variety of different ways. For example, the manifold may, ormay not, be configured as disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/874,012 entitled Filtration Assemblies, FiltrationManifolds, Filtration Units, and Methods of Channeling Permeate, whichlisted Roger Gagnon, Thomas Scholz, Martin Weinstein, Sylvia Messier,and Steven Pearl as an inventor and which was filed on Dec. 11, 2006.The manifold may be bidirectional, i.e., any or all of the permeatefluid, feed fluid, and/or retentate fluid may flow into, or from, themanifold in at least two different, e.g., opposite, directions. In otherembodiments, the manifold may be unidirectional, i.e., any or all of thepermeate fluid, feed fluid, and/or retentate fluid may flow into, orfrom, the manifold in only one direction.

The body of the manifold may also include any of a variety of couplingelements that may connect the manifold within a filtration assembly inany of a variety of different ways. Coupling elements may include holes,sockets, fittings, bolts, rivets, screws, or any other structure thatmay securely attach the filtration manifold within the filtrationassembly. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the body 15 may includemultiple sockets 21 a that may connect to alignment rod arrangementsand/or fixed alignment rods which align the filtration units within thefiltration assembly. The body 15 may also include two through holes 20that may pass through the body, and the filter assembly 10 may furtherinclude compression rod arrangements having compression rods 70 thatextend through the through holes in the manifold and in the end pieces,sealingly compressing the end pieces, manifold, and filtration unitstogether with their respective fluid passages communicating with oneanother. The compression rod arrangements may have any of numerousconfigurations. For example, compression rod arrangements may, or maynot, be configured as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/873,980 entitled Filtration Assemblies and Methods of MaintainingCompression of Filtration Units in Filtration Assemblies, which listedRoger Gagnon, Franco Morizio, and Robert Ieraci as an inventor and whichwas filed on Dec. 11, 2006. Some embodiments may not include separatecompression rod arrangements. The alignment rod arrangements may thenserve to establish and/or maintain compression of the filtrationassembly as well as align the filtration units and the manifold.

The alignment rod arrangement may be assembled into the filtrationassembly in any of a variety of different ways. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the alignment rod arrangement 71 may extend between two endpieces, e.g., the manifold 11 and the end plate 66 b and may align thefiltration units 13 along the exterior of the filtration units 13 withthe respective feed, retentate, and permeate passages 21, 63; 22, 64;24, 65 of the manifold 11 and the filtration units 13 properlycommunicating with one another.

Other embodiments of the alignment rod arrangement may be configured tomove laterally rather than longitudinally to allow the filtration unitsto be installed and/or uninstalled. For example, an alignment rodarrangement may include at least three interconnected componentsconfigured in any of a variety of different ways to allow at least oneof the components to move laterally. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6A, and 6B,for example, the alignment rod arrangement 51 may include threecomponents 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c removably attached between the endpieces. The alignment rod arrangement 51 may be positioned within thefiltration assembly as described for the first embodiment of thealignment rod arrangement 71, for example, between two end plates orbetween an end plate and a manifold. As shown in FIG. 1, for example,alignment rod arrangement 51 may extend between the manifold 11 and anend plate 66 a. The alignment rod arrangement 51 may also alignfiltration units 13 as described for the first embodiment.

Each of the components may be configured in a variety of different ways.For example, the first removably attachable component 52 a may comprisea short stub which may be permanently or removably attached on one endto an end piece, e.g., the end plate 66 a, and may include a fitting 53a on an opposite end. The second removably attachable component 52 b maysimilarly comprise a short stub which may be permanently or removablyattached on one end to the manifold 11 and may include a fitting 53 b onan opposite end. The third removably attachable component 52 c mayinclude a rod 54 and a first fitting 53 c on one end of the rod 54 and asecond fitting 53 d on an opposite end of the rod 54. The first, second,and third components 52 a, 52 b, 52 c may mate at the fittings 53 a, 53b, 53 c, 53 d. The third removably attachable component 52 c may connectand be detachable from the first and/or second components 52 a, 52 b.For example, the first fitting 53 c of the rod 54 may be releasablyconnectable to the fitting 53 a of the first component 52 a and thesecond fitting 53 d of the rod 54 may be releasably connectable to thesecond fitting 53 b of the second component 52 b, permitting thealignment rod 54 to detach from fittings 53 a and 53 b and movelaterally from between the end plate 66 a and the manifold 11 to providea space for the installation or removal of the filtration units 13.

The fittings of the alignment rod arrangement of the second embodimentmay be configured in any of a variety of different ways. For example,the fittings of the second embodiment may include slot and barengagement fittings. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, thefittings 53 a, 53 b of the first and second components 52 a, 52 b,respectively, may each include a slot 56 having a depression 77. Thefirst and second fittings 53 c, 53 d of the third component 52 c, e.g.,the rod 54, may each include a bar 55 that may also comprise a detentmechanism such as a spring ball plunger 76. The bars 55 of the fittings53 c, 53 d of the rod 54 may engage with the slots 56 of the fittings 53a, 53 b of the first and second components 52 a, 52 b, respectively, sothat the rod 54 may be attached to fittings 53 a, 53 b. For example, thebars 55 of the rod 54 may be moved laterally into or out of the slots56. A detent mechanism, such as the spring ball plunger 76, may alsoengage with the depression 77 to even more securely hold the rod 54 inplace.

Although the previously described alignment rod arrangements may haveone, two, or three components, alignment rod arrangements of theinvention may include any number of removably attached components, forexample, four or more removably attached components.

Methods according to the invention may include removing and/orinstalling one or more filtration units from/into a filtration assemblyin any of a variety of different ways. One or more components of analignment rod arrangement may detach, e.g., the fittings may disconnect,between opposed end pieces to allow removal or insertion of thefiltration units. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3-5, thefirst component 72 a, e.g., the rod 69, may detach from the secondcomponent 72 b by disconnecting the first fitting 73 a from the secondfitting 73 b. The fittings may be disconnected in any manner appropriatefor the releasably connectable fittings, for example, in any mannerpreviously described for the fittings. An alignment rod component maymove, e.g., slide, longitudinally along the interior or the exterior ofthe filtration units to disconnect the fittings. For example, as shownin FIG. 1, the fittings 73 a, 73 b may be disconnected and the firstcomponent 72 a, including the alignment rod 69, may slide along, e.g.,through, one end plate 66 b through the bushing 67 and away from themanifold 11, as shown by arrow A. Longitudinally moving, e.g., sliding,the rod 69 may provide a space for loading or unloading the filtrationunits.

Methods of removing and/or installing a filtration unit from/into afiltration assembly may further comprise removing and/or installing atleast one filtration unit between the first and second end pieces in avariety of different ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, at least onefiltration unit 13 may be removed and/or installed between end plates 66a and 66 b, or between the manifold 11 and either of the end plates 66a, 66 b, after the compression rods 70 have been loosened. Detachingcomponents of the alignment rod arrangement 71 and sliding the rod 69away from the manifold 11 along the end plate 66 b may provide avariable space, e.g., a smaller or larger space, through which one ormultiple filtration units 13 may be removed from and/or installed intothe filtration assembly 10 sequentially or simultaneously by moving thefiltration unit(s) laterally through the space.

Methods of removing and/or installing a filtration unit from/into afiltration assembly may further comprise reattaching the components ofthe alignment rod arrangement between the end pieces in a variety ofdifferent ways. One of the alignment rod components may slidelongitudinally to close the space for the loading of the filtrationunits. For example, the first alignment rod component including rod mayslide longitudinally through one end piece and toward the other endpiece. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the alignment rod 69 may slidethrough bushing 67 of the second end plate 66 b through and toward themanifold the 11 to close the space that was opened for the loading ofthe filtration units, as shown by arrow A. Once the first and secondcomponents contact one another, the fittings may be reattached. As shownin FIG. 1, for example, first component 72 a may reattach to secondcomponent 72 b by reconnecting the first fitting 73 a to the secondfitting 73 b. The first and second fittings may be reconnected in anymanner appropriate for the releasably connectable fittings, for example,in a manner described for the fittings above.

Reattaching the components of the alignment rod arrangement may furtherinclude aligning the filtration units and end pieces, e.g., the endplates and/or manifold, along the alignment rod arrangement in any of avariety of different ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, sliding thefirst component 72 a including the rod 69 toward the manifold 11 mayinclude closely positioning, e.g., contacting, the rod 69 and thefiltration units 13, thereby maintaining alignment and proper fluidcommunication of the respective fluid passages 21, 63; 22, 64; 24, 65 inthe manifold 11 and the filtration units.

The alignment rod arrangement may align filtration units within afiltration assembly in any of a variety of different ways. The alignmentrod arrangement may align multiple filtration units in a sequence witheach other and/or with one or more manifolds. For example, the alignmentrod arrangement may extend along the exterior of the filtration units.For example, as shown in FIG. 1, alignment rod arrangement 71 may extendalong and contact the exterior 14 of the filtration units 13.Additionally, the alignment rod arrangement may fit inside a cut-out inthe exterior of the filtration unit to align the filtration units.Alternatively, the alignment rod arrangement may slide through throughholes in the interior of the filtration units to align the filtrationunits.

The filtration units may be aligned by the alignment rod arrangementsfor any of a variety of different purposes. For example, the alignmentrod arrangement may align the feed passage(s) of a filtration unit tofluidly communicate with the feed passage(s) of an adjacent filtrationunit in the sequence and/or the feed passage(s) of a manifold.Alternatively or additionally, the alignment rod arrangement may alignthe permeate passage(s) of a filtration unit to fluidly communicate withthe permeate passage(s) of an adjacent filtration unit in the sequenceand/or the permeate passage(s) of a manifold. Alternatively oradditionally, the alignment rod arrangement may align the retentatepassage(s) of a tangential flow filtration unit to fluidly communicatewith the retentate passage(s) of an adjacent filtration unit in thesequence and/or the retentate passage(s) of a manifold. Attachment ofthe components of the alignment rod arrangement may move the filtrationunits into alignment with each other and/or with the manifold, and theassembled alignment rod arrangement may maintain the filtration units inalignment with each other as well as with the manifold. The alignmentrod arrangement may provide a sequence of filtration units includingaligned feed and permeate passages that may also be aligned with atleast one of the feed and permeate passages of the manifold(s),respectively. In a tangential flow filtration assembly, the alignmentrod arrangement may additionally provide a sequence of filtration unitsincluding aligned retentate passages that may also be aligned with atleast one of the retentate passages of the manifold(s), respectively.

Like the longitudinally sliding embodiments of the alignment rodarrangement, other embodiments of the alignment rod arrangement may bedetached in a variety of different ways. In some embodiments, analignment rod component may move laterally away from the filtrationunits or the end pieces to disconnect the fittings. For example, asshown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first fitting 53 c of the thirdcomponent 52 c of the alignment rod arrangement may disconnect from thefitting 53 a of the first component 52 a and the second fitting 53 d ofthird component 52 c may disconnect from fitting 53 b of the secondcomponent 52 b. The third component 52 c including the rod 54 may thenmove laterally away from the filtration units and the end pieces. Asshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, for example, the bars 55 of the fittings 53 c,53 d of the third component 52 c may disengage from the slots 56 of thefittings 53 a, 53 b of first and second components 52 a, 52 b betweenthe end pieces. A detent mechanism, such as a spring ball plunger 76,may also disengage from the recesses 77. Upon disconnecting bothfittings 53 c, 53 d of the third removably attached component 52 c fromthe fittings 53 a, 53 b of the first and second components 52 a, 52 b,respectively, the third component 52 c may move laterally away from thefiltration units 13 and the end pieces, e.g., laterally away from themanifold 11 and the end plate 66 a. For example, the rod 54 may movelaterally away from end plate 66 a and manifold 11 to produce a spacefor loading and/or unloading filtration units 13. The methods of thesecond embodiment may further include installing and/or uninstalling thefiltration units as described for the first embodiment.

The three releasably attachable components of the second embodiment mayalso reattach between the end pieces in a variety of different ways. Forexample, the third component may move laterally to close the space forthe loading of the filtration units. As shown in FIG. 1, for example,the third component 52 c including the rod 54 may move laterally towardor between the end pieces, e.g., the manifold 11 and end plate 66 a, toclose the space for loading and unloading the filtration units 13. Asshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, for example, the third component 52 c mayreattach to each of the first and second releasable components 52 a, 52b by reconnecting the first and second fittings of the third component53 c, 53 d to the fittings of the first and end pieces 53 a, 53 b,respectively, between the end pieces. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, bars 55 of fittings 53 c, 53 d of third component 52 c mayreengage the slots 56 of the fittings 53 a, 53 b of the first and secondcomponents 52 a, 52 b, respectively. A detent mechanism, such as aspring ball plunger 76, may also reengage with groove 77. The thirdcomponent 52 c may thus be reattached to first and second components 52a, 52 b and may align the filtration units 13 as described for the firstembodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, moving the rod 54 of thealignment rod arrangement 51 laterally toward or between the end plate66 a and the manifold 11 may include aligning the filtration units 13,the end plate 66 a, and the manifold 11 with each other.

Although the second embodiment has been described with respect to analignment rod which completely separates from the first and secondcomponents, other embodiments may include an alignment rod which remainsattached to one of the first and second components of the alignment rodarrangement. For example, the slot and bar fitting of one of the firstand second components may be changed to a pivot arrangement whichpivotably connects the component to the alignment rod. The alignment rodmay then be moved laterally by pivoting the alignment rod about thepivot arrangement away from, or toward, the filtration units and may bedetached from, or attached to, the other of the first and secondcomponents by, for example, a slot and bar fitting.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A filtration assembly comprising: first and second end pieces; atleast one filtration unit between the first and second end pieces; andat least one alignment rod arrangement extending between the end piecesand aligning the filtration unit or units, wherein the alignment rodarrangement includes at least first and second components removablyattachable to one another between the end pieces.
 2. A filtrationassembly according to claim 1, wherein the filtration unit has anexterior and the alignment rod arrangement extends along the exterior ofthe filtration unit.
 3. A filtration assembly according to claim 1,wherein the first component comprises a rod mounted to one of the endpieces.
 4. A filtration assembly according to claim 3, wherein thesecond component is mounted to the other of the end pieces.
 5. Afiltration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first componentincludes a first fitting and the second component includes a secondfitting, the first and second fittings being releasably connectable toone another.
 6. A filtration assembly according to claim 5, wherein thefirst component includes a rod and wherein the first fitting is disposedat one end of the rod.
 7. A filtration assembly according to claim 5,wherein one of the fittings has a male design and the other fitting hasa corresponding female socket design which receives the male design. 8.A filtration assembly according to claim 1, wherein the alignment rodarrangement has a consistent diameter between the end pieces.
 9. Afiltration assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thefirst and second end pieces comprises an end plate.
 10. A filtrationassembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond end pieces comprises a manifold.
 11. A filtration assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the alignment rod arrangement comprises afirst alignment rod arrangement, the first end piece comprises a firstend plate, and the second end piece comprises a manifold having firstand second opposite sides, the first side of the manifold facing thefirst end plate and the first alignment rod arrangement extendingbetween the manifold and the first end plate, and wherein the filtrationassembly further comprises a second end plate, a second alignment rodarrangement which includes at least first and second componentsremovably attachable to one another, and at least one filtration unitbetween the manifold and the second end plate, the second side of themanifold facing the second end plate and the second alignment rodarrangement extending between the manifold and the second end plate andaligning the filtration unit or units.
 12. A filtration assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the alignment rod arrangement furthercomprises a third component coupled to at least one of the first andsecond components between the end pieces.
 13. A filtration assemblyaccording to claim 12, wherein one of the components of the alignmentrod arrangement comprises an alignment rod and the alignment rod iscompletely separable from one of the other two components.
 14. Afiltration assembly according to claim 12 wherein one of the componentsof the alignment rod arrangement comprises an alignment rod and thealignment rod is completely separable from both of the other twocomponents.
 15. A filtration assembly comprising: first and second endpieces; at least one filtration unit between the first and second endpieces; and at least one alignment rod arrangement positioned to alignthe filtration unit or units between the end pieces, the alignment rodarrangement including an alignment rod mounted between the end pieces toslide longitudinally along one end piece and away from the other endpiece.
 16. The filtration assembly of claim 15, wherein the first endpiece includes a fitting and wherein the alignment rod includes afitting, the fittings of the first end piece and the alignment rod beingreleasably connected to one another.
 17. The filtration assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the alignment rod arrangement further includes acomponent having a fitting and wherein the alignment rod has a fitting,the fittings of the component and the alignment rod being releasablyconnected to one another between the end pieces.
 18. A filtrationassembly comprising: first and second end pieces; at least onefiltration unit between the end pieces; at least one alignment rodarrangement positioned to align the filtration unit or units between theend pieces, the alignment rod arrangement including an alignment rodmounted to move laterally between the end pieces.
 19. A method ofinstalling a filtration unit into a filtration assembly comprising:detaching components of an alignment rod arrangement between first andsecond end pieces; installing at least one filtration unit between theend pieces; and reattaching the components of the alignment rodarrangement between the end pieces, including aligning the filtrationunit or units along the alignment rod arrangement.
 20. A method ofinstalling a filtration unit into a filtration assembly comprising:sliding an alignment rod longitudinally in one direction along one endpiece and away from an opposed end piece; installing at least onefiltration unit between the end pieces; and sliding the alignment rodlongitudinally in the opposite direction along the one end piece andtoward the opposed end piece, including aligning the filtration unit orunits along the alignment rod.
 21. A method of installing a filtrationunit into a filtration assembly comprising: moving an alignment rodlaterally away from first and second opposed end pieces; installing atleast one filtration unit between the end pieces; and moving thealignment rod laterally between the end pieces, including aligning thefiltration unit or units along the alignment rod.